Pernell Brooks, affectionately called “Brooksie” was the 6th of 9 children: born on the 1st of October, 1931 to Alexander and Catherine Brooks in Mulgrave district, St Elizabeth, Jamaica.
He attended Mulgrave Primary School in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. After leaving school at the age of 16, he moved to Kingston, where he began working as an assistant butcher. He was a hard worker and a quick learner and soon mastered his craft and became an expert butcher.
It was not before long that he met and fell in love, with Lucille Kelly. They were married shortly thereafter, in 1957. During this 55 years marriage, six children were born; Barrington, Pauleine, Elaine, Valerie, Deneise and Colleen.
In the early 1960’s, Brooksie followed what many Jamaicans were doing at the time that were seeking greater opportunities for their families by migrating to England. England was a happy interlude for the Brooks family. He purchased a home, was fully employed, and the family flourished.
In 1985, he packed his belongings and moved to the United States with his family. He came to Stamford where his brother lived and has been residing here until his passing. In Stamford, Brooksie is known throughout the West Indian community and is highly respected as one of the elders of this community. His home on Clinton Avenue was an annual venue for various gatherings and celebrations attended by the majority of the West Indians in the area.
In 2008 Mr. Brooks became ill during which he lost one of his legs and was confined to the Tandet Nursing Home until September 2012 when the nursing home closed. Mr. Brooks refused to be transferred to another nursing home, instead he returned home to his family and his beloved Lucille. On January 24, 2013 he fell ill again and was taken to the Stamford Hospital where he was admitted and succumbed to this illness on the 26th.
He is survived by: his wife Lucille; son Barrington Brooks; daughters Pauline Brooks, Elaine Brooks, Valerie Patterson, Denise Brooks and Colleen Brooks;17 grandchildren;19 great grandchildren; brother Ronald Brooks; sisters Inez Dennis and Alecia Davis; nieces; nephews; other relatives and lots of friends. Mr. Brooks is predeceased by his brother Sylvester Brooks and sister Mildred Brown.
Mr. Brooks (Brooksie) is sadly missed by an entire community.
May his soul rest in peace.
The family will receive friends on Friday, February 8, 2013 from 4-8 pm at Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home 2900 Summer St Stamford, CT. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, February 9, 2013 at Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church 29 Grove Street Stamford, CT. Burial will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien. Words of love and sympathy may be sent to the family at http://www.leopgallagherstamford.com/
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